14-member dialogue team to probe into Raila-Uhuru handshake unveiled

A dialogue team that includes respected elders and chairpersons of councils-of-elders has been unveiled to probe into the famous Raila-Uhuru handshake.

The 14-member team was appointed and charged with working out the practical steps to be taken to implement the eight-point agenda of the handshake.This is the first major step since the two leaders’ unexpected handshake on March 9.

The members of the team will elect their own chairman and work under the direction of the Building Bridges Initiative secretariat,which is headed by Ambassador Martin Kimani and lawyer Paul Mwangi.

The team will supervise the formation of a programme that will implement their shared objectives of addressing ethnic antagonism and competition, lack of national ethos, inclusivity, devolution, safety and security and corruption.

The members are Adams Oloo, a lecture at the University of Nairobi , Ms Agnes Kavindu,the Senator from Busia county Amos Wako, Ms Florence Omose, Prof Saeed Mwangumi, James Matundura and Major (rtd) John Seii, who chairs the Kalenjin Myoot Council of Elders.

However, a section of leaders both from the opposition and the ruling government have denied knowledge of the existence of such a team.

When contacted to give views on the same, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi simply said; “I am not aware of this team.”

In their meeting last month, President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga promised to stand together to implement the country’s shared prosperity agenda.They urged Kenyans and leaders to embrace their rights and responsibilities.

They regretted the fact that Kenya was being characterized internationally by its negative politics, saying that violence and corruption are the main characteristics by which Kenyans are defined by the international community.